Norway and Denmark triumph in Gothenburg

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Three spots on the podium for teams from hosts Sweden, but the winners come from Denmark and Norway at the last NEVZA Beach Volleyball event of year held from Friday to Sunday at the Beach Center, Göteborg. 16 teams per gende entered the sand Friday, when the 2023 edition of NEVZA Beach Sweden got underway. Fast forward two days, and we now have our winners!

Victoria Faye Kjølberg and Julie Varga (NOR) claimed the gold medal on the women’s side by winning in two straight sets (21-19, 21-18) in Sunday’s hard-fought final against Sara Malmström and Hulda Rudberg who were playing on their very home soil in Beach Center, Göteborg.

Kjølberg/Varga had a tough start to the tournament, winning the first game 2-1 against Danish side Rebecca Nøhr Kramer/Vanessa Richards, before fighting another battle against Felicia Granberg/Ellen Lindqvist (SWE) – where they eventually lost 1-2. From the Round of 12 and onwards, the Norwegian duo managed to improve their game, not losing any another match.

 Find out about the teams on the CEV Zonal event page, NEVZA Gothenburg 2023.
Photos courtesy of Kai Piluschewski

Women
Final
Malmström/Rudberg, SWE – Kjølberg/Varga, NOR 0 – 2 (19-21, 18-21)

3/4 place
Olsen/Schade, DEN– Saxne/Madestam, SWE 2 – 0 (21-8, 21-18)

Semifinals
Malmström/Rudberg, SWE – Olsen/Schade, DEN 2 – 1 (21-17, 12-21, 15-7)
Kjølberg/Varga, NOR – Saxne/Madestam, SWE 2 – 1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-10)

Ranking Women
 1. Kjølberg/Varga, NOR
2. Malmström/Rudberg, SWE
3. Olsen/Schade, DEN
4. Saxne/Madestam, SWE
5. Granberg F./Lindqvist, SWE
Mierzejewska/Sahlberg, SWE
Nirhamo/Hirvonen, FIN
Thurin, S./Jernbeck, SWE
9. Mäenpää/Mämmi, FIN
Månesköld/Bergholm, SWE
Metsäkoivu T./Pirttimäki, FIN
Skaug/Hobøl, NOR
13. Åhman/Ribom, SWE
Barkler/Berthou, DEN
Kramer/Richards, DEN
Väärälä/Järveläinen, FIN

Men
Final
Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN- Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE 2 – 0 (24-22, 21-15)

3/4 place
Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE – Piippo/Topio, V., FIN 2 – 0 (21-19, 21-15)

Semifinals
Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE – Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN 1 – 2 (19-21, 21-17, 10-15)
Piippo/Topio, V., FIN- Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE 0 – 2 (18-21, 17-21)

Ranking
1. Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN
2. Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE
3. Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE
4. Piippo/Topio, V., FIN
5. Alden-Joyce/Boström, SWE
Herrmann/Wijk Tegenrot, SWE
Pennanen/Viljamaa, FIN
Solheim/Thorkildsen, NOR
9. Isaksson/Grahn, SWE
Ofstaas/Solhaug, NOR
Opsahl/Nilsen, NOR
Quick/Sanders, ENG
13- Ask/Sjölund, SWE
Bialokoz/Batrane, ENG
Petersen/Engelbrecht, DEN,
Topio, P./Pennanen, FIN

Facts: Nevza Beach Sweden
Dates: 3-5 November
Venue: Beach Center, Gothenburg
Address: Krutvägen 6, 415 27 Göteborg
Local organizer: Göteborg Beachvolley Club, BVC
Number of teams: 16 Women’s, 16 Men’s
Price money: 1500 EUR per gender

About GBC & Beach Center
Beach Center is the world’s biggest indoor beach volleyball arena. It is owned by Göteborg Beachvolley Club, GBC, with most registered members in Swedish Volleyball. The arena holds 16 indoor courts and 12 outdoor, plus restaurant, beach bar and gym.

About NEVZA
NEVZA (The North European Volleyball Zonal Association) is a collection organization for eight North European  volleyball federations associated with the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV). The members are Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Within  NEVZA the federations cooperate and organize competitions for youth and senior players in the three disciplines beach volleyball, volleyball and snow volleyball, for both national and club teams.

The tournament  was presented here.

Women
Pool A
Thurin S/Jernbeck, SWE – Olsen/Schade, DEN 2 – 0 (21-15. 21-19)
Nirhamo/Hirvonen, FIN – Åhman/Ribom, SWE 2 – 0 (21-15, 21-18)
Olsen/Schade, DEN– Åhman/Ribom, SWE 2 – 0 (21-19, 21-11)
Thurin S/Jernbeck, SWE – Nirhamo/Hirvonen, FIN 2 – 1 (14-21, 21-15, 15-8)

Pool B
Malmström/Rudberg, SWE- Skaug/Hobøl, NOR 2 – 0 (21-8, 21-17)
Väärälä/Järveläinen, FIN – Saxne/Madestam, SWE 0 – 2 (12-21, 13-21)
Skaug/Hobøl, NOR – Väärälä/Järveläinen, FIN 2 – 1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-8)
Malmström/Rudberg, SWE – Saxne/Madestam, SWE 2 – 1 (21-14, 14-21, 15-13)

Pool C
Månesköld/Bergholm, SWE – Barkler/Berthou, DEN 2 – 0 (23-21, 21-19)
Metsäkoivu T./Pirttimäki, FIN – Mierzejewska/Sahlberg, SWE 1 – 2 (18-21, 21-14, 9-15)
Barkler/Berthou, DEN- Metsäkoivu T./Pirttimäki, FIN 0 – 2 (12-21, 7-21)
Månesköld/Bergholm, SWE – Mierzejewska/Sahlberg, SWE 1 – 2 (21-14, 19-21, 14-16)

Pool D
Kjølberg/Varga, NOR – Kramer/Richards, DEN 2 – 1 (17-21, 21-10, 15-8)
Mäenpää/Mämmi, FIN – Granberg F./Lindqvist, SWE 0 – 2 (21-23, 15-21)
Kramer/Richards, DEN – Mäenpää/Mämmi, FIN 0 – 2 (15-21, 12-21)
Kjølberg/Varga, NOR – Granberg F./Lindqvist, SWE 1 – 2 (19-21, 21-15, 10-15)

Round of 12
Metsäkoivu T./Pirttimäki, FIN – Nirhamo/Hirvonen, FIN 0 – 2 (19-21, 13-21)
Olsen/Schade, DEN- Månesköld/Bergholm, SWE 2 – 0 (21-17, 21-16)
Kjølberg/Varga, NOR – Skaug/Hobøl, NOR 2 – 0 (21-16, 21-14)
Mäenpää/Mämmi, FIN – Saxne/Madestam, SWE 0 – 2 (10-21, 15-21)

Quarter finals
Malmström/Rudberg, SWE- Nirhamo/Hirvonen, FIN 2 – 0 (21-13, 21-15)
Olsen/Schade, DEN- Granberg F./Lindqvist, SWE 2 – 0 (21-10, 21-16)
Mierzejewska/Sahlberg, SWE – Kjølberg/Varga, NOR 1 – 2 (15-21, 21-15, 10-15)
Saxne/Madestam, SWE – Thurin, S./Jernbeck, SWE 2 – 0 (21-16, 31-29)

Men
Pool A
Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE – Petersen/Engelbrecht, DEN 2 – 0 (21-18, 21-13)
Pennanen/Viljamaa, FIN – Ofstaas/Solhaug, NOR 2 – 0 (21-18, 21-14)
Petersen/Engelbrecht, DEN, SWE – Ofstaas/Solhaug, NOR 0 – 2 (18-21, 7-21)
Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE – Pennanen/Viljamaa, FIN 2 – 0 (21-13, 21-14)

Pool B
Topio, P./Pennanen, FIN – Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE 0 – 2 (16-21, 19-21)
Opsahl/Nilsen, NOR – Quick/Sanders, ENG 2 – 0 (21-13, 21-19)
Quick/Sanders, ENG – Topio, P./Pennanen, FIN 2 – 0 (21-19, 21-17)
Opsahl/Nilsen, NOR – Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE 0 – 2 (15-21, 12-21)

Pool C
Solheim/Thorkildsen, NOR- Ask/Sjölund, SWE 2 – 0 (21-19, 21-17)
Piippo/Topio, V., FIN – Alden-Joyce/Boström, SWE 2 – 0 (21-12. 21-15)
Alden-Joyce/Boström, SWE – Ask/Sjölund, SWE 2 – 1 (15-21, 21-16-21, 15-11)
Piippo/Topio, V., FIN – Solheim/Thorkildsen, NOR 2 – 1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-9)

Pool D
Bialokoz/Batrane, ENG – Isaksson/Grahn, SWE 1 – 2 (23-25, 21-11, 13-15)
Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN – Herrmann/Wijk Tegenrot, SWE, SWE 2 – 1 (20-22, 21-14, 15-10)
Bialokoz/Batrane, ENG – Herrmann/Wijk Tegenrot, SWE 0 – 2 (12-21, 16-21)
Isaksson/Grahn, SWE – Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN 0 – 2 (11-21, 9-21)

Finals of 12
Opsahl/Nilsen, NOR– Herrmann/Wijk Tegenrot, SWE 1 – 2 (17-21, 21-19, 8-15)
Ofstaas/Solhaug, NOR- Solheim/Thorkildsen, NOR 1 – 2 (11-21, 21-18, 12-15)
Pennanen/Viljamaa, FIN – Quick/Sanders, ENG 2 – 1 (21-15, 19-21, 15-4)
Alden-Joyce/Boström, SWE – Isaksson/Grahn, SWE 2 – 0 (21-0, 21-0)

Quarter finals
Annerstedt/Appelgren, SWE – Herrmann/Wijk Tegenrot, SWE 2 – 1 (15-21, 21-9, 16-14)
Solheim/Thorkildsen, NOR – Møllgaard/Houmann, DEN 1 – 2 (10-21, 21-16, 10-15)
Piippo/Topio, V., FIN – Pennanen/Viljamaa, FIN 2 – 0 (21-15, 21-18)
Alden-Joyce/Boström, SWE – Andreasson/Andersson, A., SWE 0 – 2 (14-21, 12-21)

Sweden stops a Finnish quadruple in NEVZA Youth Championships

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Finland was going for a quadruple when the NEVZA U17/U19 for the first time ever was played in combination with the 1st round of the EuroVolley U18/U20 qualification tournament. The U17/U18 qualifier was played in Ikast, DEN, one week before seven teams of each gender met in Rovaniemi, FIN, to battle in the NEVZA U19/U20 qualifier. Finland won both genders’ tournaments in Ikast, had won the men’s in Rovaniemi and the U19 women’s final against Sweden was the last match to win for the quadruple. But the Swedes wanted differently.

 

Women: The Swedish Champions and the All Star Team

In the women’s pool play, Finland won pool A. Norway managed to take the second place, but Iceland fought hard and took one set and lost tight in the fourth. In pool B Sweden and Denmark won their first matches and met in the pool final. A match dominated by the Swedish team and a clear 3-0 victory. The semifinals showed two different faces. Finland had a rather easy win against Denmark while Sweden was in big trouble after loosing the two first sets against Norway. After a remarkable comeback, Sweden finally won in the decisive set. Maybe this battle was the winning concept. In the final, it also went to a decisive set. At this point, Sweden was very strong, taking over completely with a 15-6 win. With the victory, Sweden qualified for U20 EuroVolley in 2024, for the first time since 1984.

 

Men: The Finnish Champions and the All Star Team

The Finnish men dominated their tournament, going through the tournament with straight 3-0 wins. Their opponent in the final, Norway, came from a tough battle in the semifinal against Sweden.Unlike Sweden’s women, Norway couldn’t take advantage of that experience. Finland never gave them a chance, winning rather easily in straight sets. Finland’s men qualified directly for the 2024 U20 EuroVolley championship. In the bronze match, Denmark took an early command and even if Sweden won the second set, there was no discussion about the outcome of the match. Denmark now join Norway to the 2nd round of the EuroVolley qualifier.

All the matches were streamed on Finnish Solidsport, but also available in Denmark, Faroe Islands, Norway and Sweden. Producer Magnus Gripenhammar, Volleykanalen.

Medal matches and ranking, for all pole results see below. The organizer honoured both All Star Team of the tournament and Most Valuable Player, MVP, of each team.
Women
Gold medal match: Finland – Sweden 2 – 3 (25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 23-25, 6-15)
Bronze medal match: Denmark – Norway 2 – 3 (25-17, 26-24, 22-25, 13-25, 11-15)
5th-7th place matches:
England – Faroe Islands 3 -2 (25-14, 25-18, 18-25, 20-25, 16-14)
Iceland – Faroe Islands 3 -1 (25-15, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21)
England – Iceland 1 -3 (21-25, 21-25, 25-22, 26-28)

Ranking U19 Women

  1. Sweden
  2. Finland
  3. Norway
  4. Denmark
  5. Iceland
  6. England
  7. Faroe Islands

All Star Team Women
Setter: Liina Räty, Finland
Opposite: Martha Edlund, Sweden
Outside hitter: Emilia Saxne, Sweden
Outside hitter: Iina-Reetta Kaikkonen,  Finland
Middle blocker: Ella Peltomaa, Finland
Middle blocker: Hanna Kastarinen, Finland
Libero: Elsi Karjanlahti, Finland
Most valuable player: Veera Help, Finland

Teams’ MVP Women
Faroe Islands: #6 Nicola Toftegaard
England: #13 Daisy Boardman
Iceland: #6 Helena Einarsdóttir
Denmark: #13 Veronica Kjær Sørensen
Norway: #3 Lilli Tuften Aksnes-Øystese
Finland: #2 Iina-Reeta Kaikkonen
Sweden: #11 Martha Edlund

 Men
Gold medal match: Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-18)
Bronze medal match: Denmark – Sweden 3 – 1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-16, 25-19)
5th-7th place matches:
Iceland – England 1 – 3 (25-23, 13-25, 15-25, 12-25)
Faroe Islands – England 3 – 2 (15-25, 28-26, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13)
Iceland – Faroe Islands 1 – 3 (19-25, 25-27, 25-13, 24-26)

Ranking

  1. Finland
  2. Norway
  3. Denmark
  4. Sweden
  5. Faroe Islands
  6. England
  7. Iceland

All Star Team Men
Setter: Ville Kuukasjärvi, Finland
Opposite: William Groffier, Finland
Outside hitter: Even Stray Aas, Norway
Outside hitter: Nooa Marttila, Finland
Middle blocker: Aaro Paananen, Finland
Middle blocker: Måns Eriksson, Sweden
Libero: Emil Severin Olsen, Norway

Teams’ MVP Men
Iceland: #5. Tómas Davidsson
England: #20 Jacob Lloyd-Williams
Faroe Islands: #7 Vuk Ilić
Sweden: #8 Måns Eriksson
Denmark: #17 Kristoffer Bisgaard
Norway: #11 Even Stray Aas
Finland: #1 Oskari Sarajärvi

Referees during 2023 NEVZA U19 Championships had to work hard.

A great thanks to the Finnish Volleyball Federation for an excellent organisation, led by Jukka. Next year the tournament moves to Faroe Islands.

Photos courtesy of Tapani Kuoksa.

For further information and more pictures, visit the Facebook page.

Pool results
Women
Pool A
Finland – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-6))
Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-21)
Norway – Iceland 3 – 1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-23)

Pool B
Denmark – England 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-11)
Sweden – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-11)
Denmark – Sweden 0 – 3 (19-25, 14-25, 14-25)
England – Faroe Islands 3 – 2 (28-26, 19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11)

Quarter finals
Norway – England 3 – 0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-15)
Denmark – Iceland 3 – 1 (25-18, 18-25, 25-20, 25-17)

Semifinals
Finland – Denmark 3 – 0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-19)
Sweden – Norway 3 – 2 (24-26, 11-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-12)

Men
Pool A
Sweden – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20)
Finland – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-13)
Finland – Sweden 3 – 0 (25-15, 25-18, 26-24)

Pool B
Denmark – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-11)
Norway – England 0 – 0 ( )
Denmark – Norway 2 – 3 (25-18, 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 10-15)
Iceland – England 3 – 2 (20-25, 27-25, 28-26, 21-25, 15-13)

Quarter finals
Sweden – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-13)
Denmark – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-14)

Semifinals
Finland – Denmark 3 – 0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-10)
Norway – Sweden 3 – 2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 15-8)

Click here for presentation of the 2023 NEVZA U17/U19 Championships, with U18/U20 1st round qualification.

Information, schedules and results for the EuroVolley U20 are published on CEV homepage, see links below:
NEVZA U19/EuroVolley U20 1st round Boys; 2024 EuroVolley U20M
NEVZA U19/EuroVolley U20 1st round Girls; 2024 EuroVolley U20W

Click here to read about last year’s tournament.

 

Swedish Beach Volleyball elite ready challenge for top spots at NEVZA Beach Sweden

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The final NEVZA Beach Volleyball event of the year is here! November 3-5 NEVZA Beach Sweden will take place in Beach Center, Göteborg, in the world’s largest indoor Beach Volleyball complex, where several Swedish teams are ready to challenge for the top honours on home soil.

Friday, November 3, the event will get going with a grand total of 32 men’s and women’s teams from Denmark, England, Finland, Norway, and hosts Sweden. As many as twelve Swedish teams will participate, several of them playing on their very own home soil in Göteborg and the Beach Center.

Experienced duo Martin Appelgren/Alexander Annerstedt will be representing host Göteborg Beachvolley Club and will enter the sand as the top-seeded team, followed by Stian Opsahl/Jørgen Nylund Nilsen (NOR) and Pekka Piippo/Vili Topio (FIN).

“Playing on home soil is always special! We have made our preparations separately as I have trained in Germany this past year, while Alex has been home in Göteborg, says Swedish top ranked Martin Appelgren. But we are feeling pretty good and have played a lot together earlier in our careers so it should not be a problem finding each other on the court.”

Even though they have had little time to prepare together, their sights are set on top spots: “It will be very challenging, of course, but our target is to reach the podium. There are a lot of tough opponents, also when looking at the teams lower in the seeding. To be able to get far in an indoor competition like this, you will have to perform well in serving and reception, so that is where we will put our focus,” Appelgren continued.

Looking at the women’s side, all three top-seeded teams are Swedish. Team Sanna Thurin/Helene Jernbeck is first on the list, followed by Sara Malmström/Hulda Rudberg and Louise Månesköld/Malin Bergholm.

Blue and yellow ‘young guns’ Emilia Saxne and Sanna Madestam could also be in the mix for top spots. The duo will enter the competition filled with confidence after last weekend’s successful Volleyball campaign with the Swedish U19 Women’s National team – which won the NEVZA U19 Championship in Rovaniemi, Finland, and therefore qualified for the 2024 Volleyball U20 European Championship, a feat Sweden has achieved for the first time since 1984.

Swedish rising stars Emilia Saxne/Sanna Madestam are aiming high after securing participation in next year’s #EuroVolleyU20W for Sweden

“It probably has not sunk in yet, what we accomplished in Finland. Now we will play Beach Volleyball instead and it may take some time to adapt, but we are really looking forward to getting going,” said Saxne/Madestam. “We would say that we are quite strong in serve and attacking the ball when we get the chance. We are both indoor players from the beginning and can take a lot with us and make use of that in the sand. If we can play our game, we know that there is no team that we cannot win against in this competition. Our goal this weekend is to play as good as we can so that when we are finished playing, we can be satisfied with what we have accomplished. We need to keep on preparing in the best way possible to give ourselves the chance to perform at our standards,” they continued.

NEVZA Beach Sweden will take place side by side with a mass participation Beach Volleyball event called Halloween Cup, where some 400 players will take to the sand. Therefore, both elite and amateur players will get to inspire each other and at the same time exemplify how Beach Volleyball as a sport is both lifelong and for everyone.

Beach Center is a non-profit organisation owned and run by Göteborg Beachvolley Club, which is the biggest Volleyball club in Sweden. The centre offers great event and training opportunities all year round and has 16 warmed up indoor courts and another 12 outdoor courts.

Ranking, match schedule and results are found on CEV Zonal Events page.

All matches are streamed by Sportway, in Sweden VolleyTV.se, and in Denmark DanskVolley.tv. The producer is Magnus Gripenhammar, Volleykanalen.  Contact your national federation for information regarding access in your territory.

Photos courtesy of Jakob Birgersson 

NEVZA U17/U18 EuroVolley 1st round – Finland back, winning in straight sets

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 On October 15th, the girls and boys from Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway were back in Ikast, gathered at the ISI sport centre for three days of competition. New for this year was that the NEVZA U17 was not only a zonal championship, but also 1st leg of the qualifier for the EuroVolley U18 championships 2024. Last year’s winner on the girls’ side and boys finalist, Sweden, was not present but instead Finland came back into play. And how they did it! Both the boys and girls dominated their respective class. The victories means that both Finnish teams are directly qualified to the European Championships 2024. The two Danish teams, England’s girls and Norway’s boys have to try again in the 2nd round to reach the championships.

The teams were happy to once again be back in Ikast on Jutland in Denmark. With all the facilities for food and lodging, a short walk to training and competition halls, and the special Danish “hygge” (conviviality), it gives the players and leaders best possible conditions.

 

Girls: The Finnish Champions and the All Star Team

In the girls’ competition pool play, host Denmark and Finland dominated their respective group, with clear 3 – 0 wins in both matches. Thereby, they advanced directly to the semifinals. In the quarter finals, between second and third teams in the groups, Norway won against Faroe Islands and England won against Iceland, both matches with rather clear victories. The group winners continued in the same way in the semifinals, leading to the final. Finland continued to dominate, not giving Denmark any opportunity to challenge the title.

 

Boys: The Finnish Champions and the All Star Team

The Finnish boys were as impressive as the girls, going through the tournament with straight 3-0 wins. Their opponent in the final, defending champion Denmark, had a little bit harder way. They lost one set against Norway in the pool and England in the semifinal. In the final, they started off bad, with only twelve points in the first set. Finland relaxed a little and let Denmark get into the second set, challenging Finland to 25-27. After the loss, they didn’t manage to hold up the level and Finland got back to their impressive strong serve and side-out volleyball, closing the match with 25-13 and 3-0.

All the matches were streamed on Danish Sportway, only visible in Denmark.

Medal matches and ranking. For all pole results, see below.
Girls
Gold medal match: Denmark – Finland 0 – 3 (17-25, 14-25, 17-25)
Bronze medal match: England– Norway 3 – 1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21)
5th/6th place match: Faroe Islands – Iceland 1 -3 (8-25, 25-22, 19-25, 14-25)

Ranking

  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. England
  4. Norway
  5. Iceland
  6. Faroe Islands

All Star Team Girls
Setter: Iida Mikkonen, Finland
Opposite: Noora Päykkönen, Finland
Outside hitter: Mille Bassøe, Denmark
Outside hitter: Selma Nikkanen, Finland
Middle blocker: Saara Tyrkkö, Finland
Middle blocker: Milla Haapaniemi, Finland
Libero: Elsi Karjanlahti, Finland
Most valuable player: Mille Bassøe, Denmark

 Boys
Gold medal match: Denmark – Finland 0 – 3 (12-25, 25-27, 13-25)
Bronze medal match: England – Norway 1 – 3 (26-24, 22-25 , 14-25, 20-25)
5th/6th place match: Faroe Islands – Iceland 0 – 3 (18-25, 15-25, 12-25)

Ranking

  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. Norway
  4. England
  5. Iceland
  6. Faroe Islands

All Star Team Boys
Setter: Eeli Kuukasjärvi, Finland
Opposite: Viktor Viljamaa, Finland
Outside hitter: Matias Siika-Aho, Finland
Outside hitter: Viktor Markwian Oldenborg, Denmark
Middle blocker: Janne Kolehmainen, Finland
Middle blocker: Aarni Ruohola Finland
Libero: Panu Salmijärvi, Finland
Most valuable player: Viktor Viljamaa, Finland

A great thanks to the Danish Volleyball Federation for an excellent organisation, led by Sebastian Mikelsons and Henrik Petersen. All participants look forward to come back next year.


Referees during 2023 NEVZA U17 Championships had to work hard.

For further information and more pictures, visit the Facebook page.

Pool results
Girls
Pool A
Norway – Denmark 0 – 3 (14-25, 20-25, 23-25)
Iceland – Denmark 0 – 3 (16-25, 17-25, 15-25)
Norway – Iceland 3 – 1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-9, 25-14)

Pool B
Finland – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-12)
England – Faroe Islands 3 – 1 (25-17, 25-11, 23-25, 27-25)
Finland – England 3 – 0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-11)

Quarter finals
Norway – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-22, 25-6, 25-15)
England – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-16)

Semifinals
Denmark – England 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-17)
Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-10)

Boys
Pool A
Denmark – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-18)
Norway – Iceland 3 – 1 (25-16, 25-19, 15-25, 25-13)
Denmark – Norway 3 – 1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19)

Pool B
Finland – England 3 – 0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-10)
Faroe Islands – England 1 – 3 (21-25, 26-24, 16-25, 18-25)
Finland – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-7)

Quarter finals
Norway – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-14)
England – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-17)

Semifinals
Denmark – England 3 – 1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20)
Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-22)

Click here for presentation of the 2023 NEVZA U17/U19 Championships, with U18/U20 1st round qualification.

Information, schedules and results for the EuroVolley U18 are published on CEV homepage, see links below:
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Boys; 2024 EuroVolley U18M
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Girls; 2024 EuroVolley U18W

Click here to read about last year’s tournament.

 

Age Group Volleyball NEVZA tournaments with EuroVolley Qualifiers

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The volleyball society is adapting to a new olympic cycle. The changes introduced by the International Volleyball Federation, FIVB, make difference also on Confederation and Zonal level. For NEVZA, the most important change is that every second year, the Age Group NEVZA Championships will also be the first round qualifier for next year’s EuroVolley Championships.

After the last  years’ successful U17 and U19 events in Denmark and Finland, we look forward to thrilling NEVZA competitions in October. NEVZA U17 Championships will be played in Ikast, DEN, on 16th-18th October. Six nations are fighting for the medals and qualification for EuroVolley U18. In Rovaniemi, FIN, NEVZA U19 Championships will be played on 27th-29th October, with seven nations for both genders. It will also be the qualification for EuroVolley U20 next year.

The NEVZA homepage will be updated with interesting results, comments and links to streams, results, etc.
Bulletin 2 NEVZA U17 2023
Bulletin 1 NEVZA U19 2023

Also see the 2023 NEVZA Regulations Under-Age Volleyball Championships.

Competition schedules are published on CEV homepage, see links below:
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Boys
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Girls
NEVZA U19/EuroVolley U20 1st round Boys
NEVZA U19/EuroVolley U20 1st round Girls

 

 

 

 

2023 NEVZA Beach Volleyball season concludes in Gothenburg

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The city of Göteborg will host the final NEVZA Beach Volleyball tournament of the year, as the so-called NEVZA Beach Sweden will take place November 3-5 in the world’s largest indoor Beach Volleyball arena.

The 2023 NEVZA Beach Volleyball season concludes as the tour moves on to Göteborg, Sweden, for the final event of the year. Göteborg Beachvolley Club (GBC) and the Swedish Volleyball Federation are happy and honoured to once again host a NEVZA Beach Volleyball tournament. Some of Northern Europe’s most talented and competitive teams will have the chance to travel to Sweden’s second largest city to fight for the top honours at the Beach Center, the world’s biggest indoor Beach Volleyball arena.
NEVZA Beach Sweden will take place side by side with a mass participation Beach Volleyball event called Halloween Cup, in which some 400 players will enter the sand. Therefore, both elite and amateur players will get to inspire each other and at the same time exemplify how Beach Volleyball as a sport is both lifelong and for everyone.
”We are excited to host another NEVZA Zonal Event in Göteborg during the Swedish Halloween-weekend. It has developed into a yearly and much-appreciated happening which is anticipated by both players and the crowd alike. To have an elite competition like NEVZA Beach Sweden being played in parallell with recreational tournaments creates synergy effects and a festive ambience with a lot of people on the move in the arena complex. The elite players will inspire others and at the same time offer great entertainment”, says Sandra Krook, Tournament Director at Göteborg Beachvolley Club.


”We are currently working aimfully to implement different international events in Sweden and in this context it is important to have strong and experienced local organisers like Göteborg Beachvolley Club. The tournament in Göteborg also creates an oppurtunity for Swedish players to gain experience from playing against international competition and at the same time it can inspire them to strive for the Beach Pro Tour”, says Simon Dahl, General Secretary at the Swedish Volleyball Federation.
The event will feature a total of 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams and will for sure see several Swedish duos challenge for the medals on home soil. During last year’s edition of the tournament, Swedish teams occupied four out of six spots on the podium.

Beach Center is a non-profit organisation owned and run by Göteborg Beachvolley Club, which is the biggest Beach Volleyball club in Sweden. The centre offers great event and training opportunities all year around and has 16 warmed up indoor courts and another 12 outdoor courts as well as a fitness centre and a restaurant.

For the players: There will only be 16 teams per gender and no qualification. Registration is made through the players’ national federations. See the regulations for further information regarding registering, wild cards, etc. Also see Documents and forms page.

Ranking, match schedule and results are found on CEV Zonal Events page.

NEVZA Newsletter #4 August 2023

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In this issue of NEVZA News 2023-03, we discuss development of new competition classes and the FIVB Olympic cycle. Decisions taken at the Technical Meeting are presented and preparations for the General Assembly is also discussed. Finally, we congratulate Volleyball England’s Events Manager Jonathan Moore. He’s awarded with a Distinguished Service Award for his work with ParaVolley.

Photo: Volleyball England

NEVZA Beach Oddanesand finals

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First seeds came second!

Both first seeded Thurin/Thurin, and Piippo/Topio reached the finals in scenic NEVZA Oddanesand, but they failed in the final and biggest match.

Twins Thurin/Thurin, were favorites in the women’s final with their technical and entertaining volleyball. However, fourth seeded Rudberg/Jernbeck proved to be to strong for dissapointed twins on this particular day. The third place was won by experienced Victoria Faye Kjølberg and Julie Varga after a forfeit from Finnish Rantala/Muukka, They secured the only medal in the tournament for Norway on their home turf.

 

Hampus Ekstrand, SWE, in serve reception. Hulda Rudberg, SWE, with a killing spike.

Reigning European U22 champion Jakob “Jacke” Hölting Nilsson and his partner Hampus Ekstrand more or less outperformed the Finnish first seeds in the final,  delivering impressive attacking skills throughout the final. Finland put on some pressure towards the end of the game, but it was too late. Sweden is on a roll to get another team on a top international level. Bello/Rocha from England took third place on the mens side after beating surprise – team Emil Øfstaas and indoor pro Eirik Kavli.

Superb days in Oddanesand makes us look forward to next year!

Women
Final
Thurin, T./Thurin, S. SWE [1] – Rudberg/Jernbeck SWE [4] 0 – 2 (19-21, 17-21) 0:39

Bronze match
Rantala/Muukka FIN [5]  – Kjølberg/Varga NOR [7] Forfeit Team A

Semifinals
Rudberg/Jernbeck SWE [4] – Kjølberg/Varga NOR [7] 2 – 0 (21-11, 21-12)
Thurin, T./Thurin, S. SWE [1] – Rantala/Muukka FIN [5] 2 – 0 (21-11, 21-14)

All results and rankings:
2023-06-24 NEVZA Women’s Oddanesand Tournament

Men
Final
Hölting Nilsson/Ekstrand SWE [2] – Piippo/Topio, V. FIN 2 – 0 (21-15, 21-17) 0:35

Bronze match
Kavli/Ofstaas NOR [20] – Bello/Rocha ENG [14] 0 – 2 (13-21, 14-21) 0:31

Semifinals
Bello/Rocha ENG [14] – Piippo/Topio, V. FIN 0 – 2 (17-21, 14-21)
Hölting Nilsson/Ekstrand SWE [2] – Kavli/Ofstaas NOR [20] 2 – 0 (21-12, 21-14)

All results and rankings:
2023-06-24 NEVZA Men’s Oddanesand Tournament

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CEV Zonal tournament page

Earlier posts
Oddanesand to host NEVZA Beach tournament
NEVZA Beach Oddanesand day 1
NEVZA Beach Oddanesand day 2

 

NEVZA Beach Oddanesand day 2

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Top seeded teams on a steady course

Top seeded Thurin/Thurin on the women’s side and Piippo/Topio on the men’s side keep a steady course toward the finals. Piippo/Topio was really challenged by the Norwegian super talents Mol/Aas, They managed to pull through a victory in a tight third set, to book a spot in the quarterfinals. The Thurin twins met second seeded Ribom/Malmström already in the round of 16. After loosing the first set they it became a really tight battle bit were finally able to fight back and win after a tough and even tiebreak. 

Both Thurin/Thurin and Piippo/Topio are experienced teams, that have the knowledge to win tournaments like his. However, tomorrow they will be tested by several, very talented teams from Norway,  Sweden, England and Finland. 

Thurin Twins, Tina and Sanna, SWE, aim for a consequtive title. Sunshine and a breeze gave the players and the audience a perfect day at the beach. The Jonah’s, Kjemperud /Utvik.

Hölting Nilsson/Ekstrand is an obvious contender to the title, but met surprisingly very hard opposition in the round of 16. They played son of Norwegian legend Jørre Kjemperud, Jonah Kjemperud and his partner Jonah Utvik – who led by 6 point in the second set after following the Swedes all the way in the first set. Nilsson/Ekstrand came back stronger in the end – and turned it around just in time to get that two point lead to a 2-0 victory. 

The beautiful scenery around the beach at Oddanesand have served a lot of great games from great teams. We’re really looking forward to Saturday, the day of the finals. 

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Match schedules all matches
Men: FIVB.12ndr.at – Tournament
Women: FIVB.12ndr.at – Tournament

Earlier posts
Oddanesand to host NEVZA Beach tournament
NEVZA Beach Oddanesand day 1

NEVZA Beach Oddanesand, day 1

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Legend delivers

Ingrid Tørlen, the most winning female viking in history, delivers on the first day of the NEVZA in spectacular Oddanesand, Norway. After beating countrymen Vaigafa/Duesund 2-0 she took down the second seed Rebom/Malmström 2-0 as well, together with her very talenter partner Julia Thelle. Simply impressive appearance by the 43 year old former Olympian. 

Other women’s teams to look out for is the the first seed Thurin twins snd the Norwegians Varga/Kjølberg who both won their pools. 

Ingrid Tørlen, NOR, attack on Sara Malmström, SWE Young Swedish talent Jakob Hölting Nilsson passing the ball.

Also, the Swedish young guns Nilsson and Ekstrand had a great day in Oddanesand. The two physical Swedes, both well above 2 meters, clearly won both of their matches. In fact, the top three ranked men’s team, the Fins Piippo/Topio  and Swedes Appelgren/Ask, won all their matches today and were anticipating an exciting second day in Norway. 

Tomorrow starts with looser games in the formatted pool play, followed by the draw that will determine who’s meeting who in the playoffs. Stay tuned! 

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Match schedules all matches
Men: FIVB.12ndr.at – Tournament
Women: FIVB.12ndr.at – Tournament

Earlier posts
Oddanesand to host NEVZA Beach tournament